We use energy resources to generate electricity, heat homes and run transport. Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) formed from ancient plants and animals over millions of years. They are non-renewable: they will run out. Burning them releases carbon dioxide, which adds to global warming, and can cause air pollution. Nuclear power uses uranium; it makes no carbon dioxide but produces dangerous waste.
Renewable resources will not run out: solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, geothermal and biofuels. Many do not release carbon dioxide when used, but some are unreliable: there is no solar power at night and no wind power on a still day. A good energy plan mixes resources and also saves energy, for example with insulation and efficient appliances.
Worked example
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of wind turbines.
- Advantage: wind is renewable and turbines release no carbon dioxide while working.
- Disadvantage: they produce no electricity when the wind is not blowing.
Answer:So they are clean but unreliable on their own.
Key words
- renewable
- will not run out
- non-renewable
- will run out
- fossil fuel
- coal, oil or gas formed from ancient living things
- generator
- turns kinetic energy into electricity
New questions every time.
NGSS-referenced: MS-ESS3-3